I received the message below because I am signed up as a volunteer for
the National Map Corps. It looks like they might cancel the program. It
makes me wonder how the organization who first produced topographic maps
of the entire nation has sunk to such a new low. They can't even fund
mapping by volunteers.
I wonder if this will create room for a volunteer organization to step
in and fill the mapping void left by the federal government in the
United States. Perhaps this is something Open Street Map could take on?
Any thoughts to share?
The Sunburned Surveyor
________________________________
From: Morgan J Bearden [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 6:46 AM
Subject: USGS - The National Map Corps Update
July 10, 2008
Dear National Map Corps Volunteer,
Due to budgetary considerations The National Map Corps volunteer program
is being evaluated by a USGS committee to determine the program's future
and how it may better serve the needs of The National Map. During the
evaluation period, processing of submitted data will be suspended due to
the demands on USGS personnel.
Consequently, we are asking all National Map Corps volunteers who are
presently collecting data using a global positioning system (GPS)
receiver to stop collecting structure data and send collected data to
the USGS by August 10, 2008.
Although we are asking you to stop collecting structure data using your
GPS receiver, we encourage you to continue your volunteer activity by
using our prototype web-based collection procedure. You may visit the
web-based collection site at
http://ims.er.usgs.gov/vfs/faces/index.jspx. You will be asked to fill
out a brief registration form and you may then collect structure data
after you have familiarized yourself with the navigation and collection
tools.
We appreciate your support over the past several years as the volunteer
program evolved and grew. Since its inception the Earth Science Corps
and The National Map Corps volunteers have contributed to the graphic
mapping program and to building The National Map structures data theme.
We hope that the current program assessment results in a renewed
volunteer program supported by our current and many future volunteers.
Please refer to the web-based collection site for updates. You may also
communicate with one another via the National Map forum at
geocaching.com.
Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Thank you for your past service to the U.S. Geological Survey. We look
forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Morgan J Bearden, Coordinator
The National Map Corps
U. S. Geological Survey
National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
Rolla, Missouri 65401
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
573-308-3591
To summarize:
* Cease GPS collection of structures and send all new GPS data to
the mapping center:
John Gorman
The National Map Corps
1400 Independence Drive
Rolla, MO 65401
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
573-308-3863
* If you desire to continue to collect structures, please do so
via the web-based site. You may visit the site at
http://ims.er.usgs.gov/vfs/faces/index.jspx to collect data via the web
site.
* If you do not wish to continue as a volunteer on any level,
please send all materials and your USGS volunteer identification card to
the above address.
* Check the web site to see volunteer updates
* If we do not already have one, please provide us an e-mail
address. We do not anticipate sending any more letters and plan to
conduct business via e-mail and our web site to the greatest extent
possible.
Warning:
Information provided via electronic media is not guaranteed against defects
including translation and transmission errors. If the reader is not the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
have received this information in error, please notify the sender immediately.
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